Fortrolighet

Fortrolighet is a concept denoting the obligation to keep information secret and to act with discretion to protect sensitive information. In Nordic usage, fortrolighet describes both the quality of being trustworthy and the duty to refrain from disclosing confidential information.

In professional contexts, fortrolighet is foundational: physicians' and nurses' obligation to protect patient information; lawyers' duty to maintain client confidentiality; journalists' and researchers' ethical codes. In business and law, it is commonly formalized through nondisclosure agreements (NDA) or confidentiality clauses, preventing parties from sharing proprietary data, trade secrets, or plans.

In data protection and privacy law, fortrolighet is linked to the proper handling of personal or sensitive data, ensuring that information is accessed only by authorized individuals and used only for legitimate purposes. It may be subject to legal penalties if breached, and exceptions can exist for mandatory reporting or safety concerns.

Fortrolighet also concerns ordinary interpersonal relationships, where individuals expect that private conversations or shared information will be kept discreet. The concept highlights trust as a social and ethical principle: misusing confidential information can erode trust and damage relationships or organizations.

See also: confidentiality, privacy, non-disclosure agreement, data protection, privileged communication.